Many characteristics, ranging from brain size and heart rate to life span and population density, change consistently with body size. These relationships normally fit a simple power function. The use of logarithms makes the equation easier to visualize. The exponent becomes the slope of a straight line when the logarithm of the variable (say respiration rate) is plotted against the logarithm of body mass.

The terms isometry, positive allometry, and negative allometry are used in relation to the slope of the line. For example if heart rate, varies proportionally to body mass this is isometry; positive allometry is where the larger animals have proportionatly higher heart rates; while negative allometry is where larger animals have proportionately lower heart rate..